When to plant peas in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant peas in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 21 – Apr 9. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Nebraska: Apr 7 · Apr 19 · May 1 · May 13 · May 25
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow peas in Nebraska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Mar 21 – Apr 9). Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Nebraska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
- Harvest (from about May 20 – Jun 4). Pea takes 55-70 days to reach harvest. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked - 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Production stops once daytime highs stay above ~80 F.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pea dates shift with them.
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Mar 21 – Apr 9 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 19 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant peas in Nebraska?
Sow peas in Nebraska between March 21 and April 9. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
Can I plant peas in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 17 and August 3, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will peas planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about May 20 to June 4, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.